EPP Paper on Security and Defence

Approved by EPP Presidency and EPP Summit 15/12/2016 based on the EPP DEF and FA ministers meeting

In an ever-changing world, marked by emerging challenges and constantly transforming threats, security and defence continue to play an increasingly important role for the European Union. The purpose of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is to protect our citizens and their territory, to defend our interests as well as to promote our values and principles. It is time for the EU to fully deliver on these promises. Therefore, the level of ambition must rise collectively in order to tackle current as well as future challenges.

The priority is to protect our citizens from instability and threats both within and outside the EU. Therefore:

National defence spending must reflect seriousness and commitment to the tasks ahead. We welcome the commitment by NATO Member Countries to invest 2% of their national GDP on security and defence, and we encourage EU Member States to increase their defence spending for our common security in the future.

National duplication and fragmentation must be prevented through a system of pooling and sharing among MS in order to operate in the most effective and cost-efficient manner. Moreover, rapid implementation on a national level must be considered a key element of the overall commitment.

An EU Operational HQ shall be established to ensure quick and effective planning, interoperability and command and control. A permanent forum for decision-making shall be established, which will ultimately lead to a Council of Defence Ministers, in order to guarantee operationalisation of resources and effective cooperation and integration among MS.

The EU should make use of the full range of legal instruments provided in the Treaty of Lisbon. Effective cooperation within Permanent StructuredCooperation(PESCO) will allow MS, which are able and willing to engage and contribute within the European framework, to improve our common defence solidarity as stipulated in Art. 42. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.

Member States shall cooperate, share relevant information and ensure rapid responses in order to build resilience, address present challenges, such as irregular migration, and effectively counter hybrid threats, such as cyber security and disinformation campaigns. Strategic Communications must be strengthened in order to make the EU´s security and defence policy a success.

For the EU to become a regional and global power, it is crucial to ensure stability and peace along its borders and within the catchment area.

The EU and NATO must continue to deepen their common efforts agreed upon in the Warsaw Joint Declaration. Their mutual commitment is crucial for the EU’s future security efforts.

Strategic partnerships must be built beyond borders, with countries as well as with organizations. To the east, Ukraine must remain a strong partner and be supported on its path towards stability and prosperity. Moreover, cooperation with counterparts such as the OSCE and the African Union are crucial forsecuring borders, regulating immigration and combating terrorism at its roots.

The EU must have rapid response forces in place to tackle quickly emerging challenges. EU Battlegroupsremain a tool that must be developed and improved as the primary option of choice.

A strong, independent and well-funded defence market will be the backbone of an EU Security and Defence Union.

The EPP welcomes the presentation of a much-anticipated European Defence Action Plan and the creation of a European Defence Fund, with itsallocated economic resources.

A more integrated, sustainable, innovative and competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) may lead to the integration of a common defence market. In its first steps, the EDTIB must aim at targets such as boosting the economy by integrating SMEs, creating jobs and establishing a functioning security-of-supply regime.

The European Defence Agency shall be strengthened by enhanced national funding and by the execution of joint projects by MS.

For the past 25 years, the EPP has been a constant frontrunner on security and defence policy. It is our duty to remain in this position. We believe that by taking the necessary steps, we will be able to create a strong and collective CSDP.

You will find attached our kit media which includes backgrounds and variants of the EPP logotype available in several languages. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at connect@epp.eu.